Diffusion-Controlled Spontaneous Emulsification of Water-Soluble Oils via Micelle Swelling

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
Cole R DavisKendra A Erk

Abstract

Spontaneous emulsification of toluene, xylenes, cyclohexane, and mineral oil in a nonionic nonylphenol polyethoxylate surfactant solution was investigated by visual observations coupled with dynamic light scatting measurements and interfacial tensiometry. For water-soluble oils, nanoscale emulsions formed spontaneously by diffusion of oil molecules into the aqueous surfactant solutions and subsequent swelling of surfactant micelles with oil. Micelle swelling rates were quantified to assess system spontaneity, revealing that oil solubility in water was directly correlated to the spontaneity of the emulsion (toluene > xylenes > cyclohexane). When experiments were intentionally designed to create surfactant concentration gradients, Marangoni flows were found to enhance spontaneity. Despite their spontaneous formation, emulsion stability was limited over the course of 40 days by Ostwald ripening followed by creaming and evaporation. These results provide insights on the likelihood of nanoemulsion formation and persistence in oily wastewater as the components in this study are present in many wastewater systems.

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Citations

Jul 20, 2021·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Cole R DavisKendra A Erk
Dec 4, 2020·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Yun ChenCari S Dutcher
Sep 28, 2021·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Denise NeibloomJoelle Frechette

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